Atlanta Falcons: Calvin Ridley can diversify the offense

The Atlanta Falcons are attempting to recreate past magic with Calvin Ridley. He’ll need to make an immediate splash for Matt Ryan and Julio Jones.

The Atlanta Falcons have quietly become one of the most powerful teams in the NFL. The defense has been stabilized under head coach Dan Quinn, and the offense has become a juggernaut with Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Devonta Freeman, and Tevin Coleman at the skill positions.

If the Falcons are going to return to the Super Bowl, however, rookie wide receiver Calvin Ridley is going to need to make an immediate impact.

Atlanta selected Ridley at No. 26 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft—far later than anyone expected him to slide. A smooth route-runner whose practices at Alabama did enough to create thick skin, the general expectation was that he’d be one of the first 20 players selected.

Instead, Ridley fell to a team that’s been needing a presence of his caliber at the wide receiver position.

Atlanta’s receiving corps features one of the best players in the NFL today in Jones, as well as two capable playmakers in Mohamed Sanu and Austin Hooper. It also features two players who can make plays on the ground and through the air: Coleman and Freeman.

For as well-rounded as the offense appears to be, however, the lack of a true No. 2 wide receiver has placed immeasurable pressure on Jones to perform at a high level on a weekly basis.

Jones can thrive under pressure, but he consistently draws double teams from opposing defenses. That inevitably decreases his value in the red zone, when the field shrinks and there are fewer windows to exploit said coverage.

If Ridley lives up to the hype as a rookie, then teams will find it significantly more challenging to apply that type of pressure to Jones.

What made Ridley special in college was how easily he seemed to be able to create separation from defensive backs. He has long and crisp strides, plays bigger than his already solid 6’1″ frame suggests he’d be able to, and showed flashes of being a high-level red zone target.

More importantly: When opponents opt against attempting to jam him at the line of scrimmage, he borders on being unstoppable.

Only time will tell how that translates from the collegiate level to the NFL, but it’s a strength that certainly implies he can be of value.

Ridley may not be the most explosive athlete in this class, but he’s the prototypical possession receiver. Not only does he boast 4.4 speed and strong footwork, but there are subtleties to his game that can’t be overstated.

Ridley’s creativity and craftiness as a route-runner should appeal to both Ryan and Jones, as it will force the defense to keep a close eye on Ridley in short-to-intermediate scenarios.

Once Ridley has the ball in his hands, he has the stop-and-go burst to be able to make explosive plays after the catch.

That shiftiness should add an entirely new element to the Falcons’ offense.

In terms of practical expectations, Ridley should help Atlanta alter the tone of the offense. Jones will have more room to navigate the red zone, Sanu will have opportunities to make plays over the top of the defense, and both Freeman and Coleman will have space in the flat.

There are areas in which Ridley will need time to improve, but if he plays as well as he’s capable of playing, the Falcons will benefit situationally.

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The Atlanta Falcons were already explosive, but Calvin Ridley could be the missing piece.